Mobile tether apparatus

ABSTRACT

A mobile tether apparatus for securing articles within the interior of a vehicle and the method of its use and construction are disclosed. The mobile tether apparatus includes a disk shaped member that is easily inserted and anchored between a vehicle&#39;s seat bottom and seat back cushions and has tether straps attached thereto for securing the article. A second embodiment is shown with a cylindrical member used as the anchor member. A third embodiment is shown with a pair of cylindrical members perpendicularly connected to an intermediate section, one serving as the anchor member and the other having tether straps attached thereto.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/304,231, filed Jul. 10, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a mobile tether apparatus for use in avehicle to secure articles in the vehicle. Securing the articles in thevehicle prevents the articles from being thrown about in the vehicleshould the vehicle make a sudden evasive maneuver or make an emergencystop. In the case of the emergency stop, it is particularly criticalthat articles in the interior of the vehicle be secured or they canbecome projectiles striking the occupants and causing serious injury ordeath.

[0004] Prior to the current invention, articles to be carried in theinterior of a vehicle were either left lying unsecured, typically on theseat or floor of the vehicle, or attempts were made to secure thearticle with the passenger restraints or seat belts. Often theseattempts to secure items were not very successful due to limitedpositioning possible with the seat belt or the seat belt lackedsufficient length to encircle the article. Additionally, depending onthe number of passengers in the vehicle, passengers were left with theunacceptable choice of utilizing the seat belt for a passenger or usingit to secure an article.

[0005] Additionally, the “seat belts” of most modern vehicles areactually a combination of a seat belt and a shoulder belt that utilize acommon latch. This three point connection provides an excellentpassenger restraint but this same configuration does not make for a veryuseful or adaptable tether device. It would also be preferable if amobile tether apparatus could be easily removed from the vehicle withoutrequiring any reconfiguring of the interior of the vehicle. Therefore,there exists a need for a mobile tether apparatus that is economical,easy to install and does not require any reconfiguring of the interiorof the vehicle. Additionally, such a mobile tether apparatus would bedesirable if it were easily adaptable to virtually all vehicles therebyallowing the mobile tether apparatus to be easily moved betweenvehicles. It is the construction and method of use of such a mobiletether apparatus to which the present invention is directed.

[0006] 2. Description of Related Art

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,504 to C. M. Cohen discloses a universaltether apparatus for releasably attaching juvenile articles, such aspacifiers or rattles, to the clothing of an infant.

[0008] A releasable tether using a release clip with a slide boltoperated by either a cable attached to a remote release trigger or athumb slide is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,410 to C. J. Wilson et al.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The mobile tether apparatus of the present invention is designedfor use within the interior of a vehicle such as a car or sport utilityvehicle with a typical arrangement of a front seat and a back seatextending the width of the interior. A first embodiment of the mobiletether apparatus uses a flat disk with a pair of tethers or strapsattached thereto with adjustable buckles on the ends of the straps. Thedisk is sized to allow insertion between the seat back and seat bottom.The disk is then rotated to a position where its axis is perpendicularto the seat back and anchored against the juncture of the seat back andseat bottom and cannot be pulled therethrough. At this point the articleto be secured can then be placed on the seat bottom and the strapsfastened around the article and securely restrain the article, such as apurse, briefcase, shopping bag or the like, on the seat. When the user'sdestination is reached, the article can be easily released from themobile tether apparatus and the apparatus can be easily removed from theseat by sliding it back between the seat bottom and seat back.

[0010] A second embodiment is shown that is particularly suited for usewhen it is desired to tether the article, such as a briefcase, to therear of the front seat. This embodiment uses a cylindrical base memberconstructed of a flexible material that is sized to be inserted betweenthe seat back and seat bottom when inserted edgewise. The cylindricalbase member is somewhat compressible along with the cushion of the seatback and seat bottom. An extension member is attached perpendicularly tothe cylindrical member at its middle. A ring is attached to the outerend of the extension member to which the tethers are secured. As in thefirst embodiment, the cylindrical base member is inserted between theseat bottom and back, although usually from the rear of the seat. Thediameter of the cylindrical base member is such that it prevents themobile tether apparatus from being easily pulled between the seat bottomand back.

[0011] A third embodiment is shown that is easily inserted and can alsobe used with the head restraint that are typically positioned on the topof the seat back. This embodiment uses two cylindrical members, ananchor member and tether member respectively, that is substantially thesame as in the second embodiment that are mounted on an intermediatesection of a wire frame that spaces the anchor and tether members apartand at right angles. The tether member has tethers or straps mountedthereon as in the previous embodiments. The apparatus is used bygrasping the tether member and inserting the anchor member edgewisebetween the seat bottom and seat back. The tether member is then rotated90 degrees where its axis is parallel to the gap between the seat backand seat bottom and the axis of the anchor member is parallel with theseat back. This prevents the anchor member from being pulled backthrough. If desired, a second mobile tether apparatus of this thirdembodiment can be positioned between the head restraint and seat back.This allows large boxes to be placed on the seat bottom and secured bytethers from above and below.

[0012] One object of the present invention is to provide a mobile tetherapparatus that is easily removable and that may be placed in manyanchoring points in a vehicle.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to enable a person totemporarily secure articles in a public vehicle such as a taxicab, bus,train, or airplane in a convenient location and within reach.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to enable a personto secure and cover a number of objects in the space between the frontand rear seats.

[0015] Other objects and advantages of the present invention are pointedout in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this disclosure. Afull and complete understanding of the invention may be had by referenceto the accompanying drawings and description of the preferredembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other objects and advantages of the present inventionare set forth below and further made clear by reference to the drawings,wherein:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the mobiletether apparatus installed on a typical vehicle front seat.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the mobiletether apparatus showing details of its construction.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of themobile tether apparatus installed on a typical vehicle front seatsecuring a briefcase.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of themobile tether apparatus showing details of its construction.

[0021]FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a vehicle seat showing the secondembodiment of the mobile tether apparatus in its installed position.

[0022]FIG. 6 is an elevation view of a vehicle seat showing the secondembodiment of the mobile tether apparatus in its initially insertedposition.

[0023]FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a vehicle seat showing a pair ofthe second embodiment of the mobile tether apparatus in their installedposition securing a box on a seat.

[0024]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the mobiletether apparatus showing details of its construction.

[0025]FIG. 9 is an elevation view of a vehicle seat showing the secondembodiment of the mobile tether apparatus in its initially insertedposition.

[0026]FIG. 10 is an elevation view of a vehicle seat showing the secondembodiment of the mobile tether apparatus in its installed position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] With reference to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, aperspective view of a typical vehicle, such as a car, seat is shown withthe first embodiment of the mobile tether apparatus 10 installed. Carseat 12 is composed of seat bottom 14 and seat back 16 that includeflexible cushions 18 and 20, respectively, formed integrally therewith.Head restraint 22 is positioned on seat 16 and is vertically adjustableas is well known. Flexible cushions 18 and 20 are in substantiallyabutting relationship and support a person in a seated position.Although flexible cushions 18 and 20 of seat bottom 14 and seat back 16are abutting one another, their construction is of a flexible materialthat allows a person to insert a hand (or similar object) therebetweenand force a gap 24 therebetween. Car seat 12 is a fixed structureanchored to the floor of the vehicle (not shown).

[0028] Mobile tether apparatus 10 includes releasable base member 26 inthe form of a disk shape. A plurality of tether members or straps 28 areattached to releasable base member 26 by threading through slots 30 orother suitable attachment means. Although multiple straps 28 are shown,a single strap 28 could be used without departing from the scope of theinvention. Straps 28 include base end 32 and connection end 34. Couplingmeans in the form of adjustable snap connectors 36 are attached toconnection ends 34 of straps 28. It should be noted that tether membersor straps 28 are preferably of a flexible material such as plasticalthough other materials as rope, cloth or leather could be used to formstraps 28 without departing from the scope of the present invention.Similarly, different coupling means other than adjustable snapconnectors 36 could be substituted.

[0029] When it is desired to use mobile tether apparatus 10, it isinserted edgewise between flexible cushions 18 and 20. This requires aminimum of effort by the user as the thin edge of releasable base member26 causes a minimum gap 24 to allow insertion between and throughcushions 18 and 20. After insertion, releasable base member 26 isrotated to the position shown in FIG. 1, with the axis of releasablebase member 26 substantially perpendicular to seat back 16. This ensuresmobile tether apparatus 10 cannot be pulled through cushions 18 and 20.The article to be secured can then be placed on seat bottom 14 andstraps 28 used to secure it.

[0030] A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3and 4. Those items which are the same as in the first embodiment retaintheir numerical designations. Mobile tether apparatus 100 is shown inFIG. 3 inserted between cushions 18 and 20 and securing briefcase 102 tothe rear of seat 12. Mobile tether apparatus 100 includes releasablebase member 104 in the form of a cylindrically shaped member. Releasablebase member 104 is of a flexible material as rubber or foam that allowssome compression of releasable base member 104. Extension member 106 isaffixed to releasable base member 104 at its middle and extendsperpendicularly therefrom. Ring 108 is secured to the outer end ofextension member 106 and tether member or strap 110 attaches thereto.Although only one strap 110 is shown, multiple straps 110 could be usedwithout departing from the scope of the invention.

[0031] When it is desired to use mobile tether apparatus 100, it isinserted edgewise between flexible cushions 18 and 20 as in the firstembodiment. However, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, mobile tether apparatus100 due to its flexible construction may be inserted edgewise, i.e.,with releasable base member 104 (FIG. 5) being inserted between cushions18 and 20. This is particularly useful if mobile tether apparatus 100 isbeing used with a rear seat of a vehicle and the rear of the seat is noteasily accessible. Releasable base member 104 is sized to prevent itsbeing pulled through gap 24, a user may use extension member 106 torotate releasable base member 104 to the position shown in FIG. 6 ifadditional holding power is needed with the axis of releasable basemember 104 substantially parallel to seat back 16. This providesadditional security mobile tether apparatus 100 cannot be pulled throughcushions 18 and 20.

[0032] An additional application of mobile tether apparatus 100 is shownin FIG. 7. In this application, a pair of mobile tether apparatuses 100are employed to secure a large box 112 or similar article to seat 12. Afirst mobile tether apparatus 100 is inserted and secured betweencushions 18 and 20 of seat bottom 14 and seat back 16 as previouslydescribed. A second mobile tether apparatus 100 is inserted and securedbetween cushion 20 of seat back 16 and head restraint 22. Tether straps110 are then used to secure box 112 on seat 12.

[0033] A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.8-10. Those items which are the same as in the first two embodimentsretain their numerical designations. Mobile tether apparatus 200 isshown in FIG. 8 and includes anchor member 202 and tether member 204.Anchor member 202 and tether member 204 are in the form of acylindrically shaped member and constructed of a flexible material asrubber or foam that allows some compression of anchor member 202 andtether member 204. Anchor member 202 and tether member 204 are connectedby intermediate section 206 constructed of metal wire or similarly rigidmaterial. Intermediate section 206 maintains anchor member 202 andtether member 204 in a substantially perpendicular orientation andspaced apart as shown. Tether member 204 has tether members or straps208 attached thereto with suitable coupling means as snap connectors 210on their ends.

[0034] When it is desired to use mobile tether apparatus 200, anchormember 202 is inserted edgewise between flexible cushions 18 and 20 asshown in FIG. 9. After anchor member 202 is in the position shown inFIG. 9, tether member 204 is rotated 90 degrees until anchor member 202and tether member 204 are in the position of FIG. 10. In this position,the axis of anchor member 202 is substantially parallel to seat back 16.This provides additional security mobile tether apparatus 200 cannot bepulled through cushions 18 and 20. This embodiment is also useful ifmobile tether apparatus 200 is being used with a rear seat of a vehicleand the rear of the seat is not easily accessible. Also, tether member204 can be left in this position and a person could sit on tether member204 without discomfort if it is desired to leave mobile tether apparatus200 in position.

[0035] The novel method of use and construction of my mobile tetherapparatus in its various embodiments will be readily understood from theforegoing description and it will be seen that I have provided a novelmobile tether apparatus with a multitude of uses. Furthermore, while theinvention has been shown and described with respect to certain preferredembodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modificationswill occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading andunderstanding of the specification. The present invention includes allsuch equivalent alterations and modifications, and is limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile tether apparatus for securing articlesin a vehicle, comprising: a releasable base member adapted for securingto a fixed structure within the interior of a vehicle; at least onetether member having a base end and a connection end, said base endattached to said releasable base member, said at least one tether memberbeing flexible to allow connecting said at least one tether member to anarticle to be secured by said mobile tether apparatus; and, saidconnection end of said at least one tether member having a couplingmeans secured thereon, said coupling means allowing said connection endof said at least one tether member to be connected to said article andthereby secure said article to said fixed structure within said interiorof said vehicle.
 2. A mobile tether apparatus for securing articles in avehicle, according to claim 1, wherein: said fixed structure is a seatof said vehicle, said seat having a seat bottom and a seat back; saidseat bottom and said seat back including flexible cushions positionedthereon in substantially abutting relationship for supporting a personin a seated position thereon.
 3. A mobile tether apparatus for securingarticles in a vehicle, according to claim 2, wherein: said releasablebase member is further adapted to allow insertion of said releasablebase member between said seat bottom and seat back cushions.
 4. A mobiletether apparatus for securing articles in a vehicle, according to claim3, wherein: said releasable base member is a flat disk insertableedgewise between said seat back and seat bottom cushions to the oppositeside of the seat.
 5. A mobile tether apparatus for securing articles ina vehicle, according to claim 4, wherein: said flat disk sized toprevent said flat disk from being pulled between said seat back and seatbottom cushions when the axis of said disk is substantiallyperpendicular to said seat back.
 6. A mobile tether apparatus forsecuring articles in a vehicle, according to claim 3, wherein: saidreleasable base member is a cylindrically shaped member insertableedgewise between said seat back and seat bottom cushions to the oppositeside of the seat.
 7. A mobile tether apparatus for securing articles ina vehicle, according to claim 6, wherein: said cylindrically shapedmember has an extension member secured thereto, said extension memberextending between said seat back and seat bottom cushions when saidcylindrically shaped member is inserted between said seat back and seatbottom cushions, said extension member includes a ring secured theretofor attaching said tether members.
 8. A mobile tether apparatus forsecuring articles in a vehicle, according to claim 7, wherein: saidextension member allows rotation of said cylindrically shaped member toa position wherein the axis of said cylindrically shaped member issubstantially parallel to said seat back and thereby prevents saidcylindrically shaped member from being pulled between said seat back andseat bottom cushions.
 9. A mobile tether apparatus for securing articlesin a vehicle, according to claim 3, wherein said releasable base memberincludes: an anchor member and a tether member, said anchor member andsaid tether member secured to an intermediate section, said intermediatesection maintaining said anchor member and said tether member in asubstantially perpendicular orientation.
 10. A mobile tether apparatusfor securing articles in a vehicle, according to claim 9, wherein: saidanchor member and said tether member are cylindrically shaped members;and, said anchor member is insertable edgewise between said seat backand seat bottom cushions to the opposite side of the seat.
 11. A mobiletether apparatus for securing articles in a vehicle, according to claim10, wherein: said intermediate section extending between said seat backand seat bottom cushions when said anchor member is inserted betweensaid seat back and seat bottom cushions; and, said tether member memberincludes a ring secured thereto for attaching said tether members.
 12. Amobile tether apparatus for securing articles in a vehicle, according toclaim 11, wherein: said tether member allows rotation of said anchormember to a position wherein the axis of said anchor member issubstantially parallel to said seat back and thereby prevents saidanchor member from being pulled between said seat back and seat bottomcushions.
 13. A system for securing articles in a vehicle utilizing aplurality of mobile tether apparatuses, comprising: a seat within theinterior of a vehicle, said seat has a seat bottom and a seat backincluding flexible cushions positioned thereon in substantially abuttingrelationship for supporting a person in a seated position thereon, and ahead restraint is positioned on said seat back in substantially abuttingrelationship; a first mobile tether apparatus secured between said seatback and said seat bottom; a second mobile tether apparatus securedbetween said seat back and said head restraint; said first and secondmobile tether apparatuses comprising: a cylindrical releasable basemember adapted for securement to a seat within the interior of avehicle; at least one tether member having a base end and a connectionend, said base end attached to said releasable base member, said atleast one tether member being flexible to allow connecting said tethermember to an article to be secured by said mobile tether apparatus; and,said connection end of said at least one tether member having a couplingmeans secured thereon, said coupling means allowing said connection endof said at least one tether member to be connected to said article andthereby secure said article to said seat within said interior of saidvehicle.
 14. A system for securing articles in a vehicle utilizing aplurality of mobile tether apparatuses, according to claim 13, wherein:said cylindrical releasable base member is insertable edgewise betweensaid seat back and seat bottom cushions to the opposite side of the seatand between said seat back and said head restraint.
 15. A system forsecuring articles in a vehicle including a plurality of mobile tetherapparatuses, said mobile tether apparatuses according to claim 14,wherein: said cylindrically shaped member has an extension membersecured thereto, said extension member includes a ring secured theretofor attaching said tether members.
 16. A mobile tether apparatus forsecuring articles in a vehicle, said mobile tether apparatuses accordingto claim 15, wherein: said extension member allows rotation of saidcylindrically shaped member to a position wherein the axis of saidcylindrically shaped member is substantially parallel to said seat back.